​Efforts to uphold coverage would impact DACA recipients.

On Oct. 2, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) along with other patient groups representing millions of individuals with serious diseases and health conditions filed an amicus curiae (friend of the court) brief strongly urging the U.S. District Court for the District of North Dakota to deny a motion for a stay and preliminary injunction in the case of Kansas v. United States of America. 

The brief maintains that the final rule issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) expanding insurance coverage eligibility to Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients aligns with Congress’s intent in passing the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) because it will improve patient outcomes and public health, and reduces uncompensated care costs by decreasing the number of uninsured individuals. 

The groups on the brief including ACS are the American Lung Association, Epilepsy Foundation of America, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and Muscular Dystrophy Association, issued the following statement on today’s
filing:    

“Access to affordable and comprehensive health insurance coverage ensures that people can prevent, detect and treat serious illnesses and health conditions, and is critical for surviving chronic diseases like cancer. 

“Since the ACA’s implementation, over 45 million people have gained coverage, slashing the rate of uninsured individuals to historic lows. However, 27% of DACA recipients remain uninsured despite working and paying taxes to support the ACA. 

"The HHS Final Rule would give over 500,000 DACA recipients -- many of whom have only ever known the U.S. as home -- access to timely, quality care. This would promote preventive care and earlier diagnoses, making treatment less expensive and more effective while also helping reduce health disparities and create a healthier, more productive workforce. 

“Additionally, contrary to the Plaintiffs’ arguments, expanding coverage to DACA recipients will generate economic benefits to individuals and their communities by lowering uncompensated care costs, reducing the number of individuals who rely on expensive emergency services, and contributing to insurance pools with a population that is, on average, younger and healthier. 

“Everyone, including DACA recipients, deserves equal access to timely, quality, comprehensive health care. Therefore, we urge the District Court to deny the Plaintiffs’ motion for a stay of the Final Rule and preliminary injunction."

The groups on the brief are represented by Democracy Forward, a non-profit legal organization.